Hickory Nut Forest An Outstanding Asheville Area Eco Community
One of my favorite eco communities in the Asheville area (and please note, Asheville is the "hub' of green and sustainable development) is Hickory Nut Forest.Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville, but Hickory Nut Forest is demonstrating how to go about creating an eco--community. This video shows how folks got together to build a community center. (see video).
THIS evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood is surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land , so from the community center, visitors and residents can hike out on one of the well-tended trails leading to those 800 + acres and to the adjoining 250 acres. Hickory Nut Forest's community/retreat/teaching/learning center represents a "shade of green" having to do with sustainability from the "social dimension" perspective: Peace, security, social justice --Human settlements and Human relationship to nature.
EXAMPLE: I was so excited to be able to WATCH how the construction of the new community building happens! ( see video) If you are interested in the "social dimension" of eco-friendly development, be sure to check out the video. There also are aspects of green building that will be a part of this work: using the giant poplar from our land to hold up the house, solar and microhydro for heating and electric, sprayed insulation, south facing orientation, metal roofing, energystar appliances, protection of the surrounding trees, interior air quality, re-using their own wood for interior walls...for example
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I was so excited to be able to WATCH how the construction of the new community building happens! ( see video) If you are interested in green building, be sure to check this out.
I just love this stuff. However, I did get a chuckle out of the name. Any marketer that names and eco-project with "Nut" in the name is a brave or unthinking soul. Many people think that those of us who think and do green are nuts.
Since you're in Ashville, have you ever been to the John C. Campbell Folk School? Is it even still in operation?
Now THAT's going green.
Mike~
I have been to the Joseph Campbell school and YES..it is living, breathing and offering wonderful classes.
Glad you liked the video. It is one of the most authentic I have seen.
Sorry I got the name wrong.
I thinks we need to come up with a coded greeting for us that do green. "Nuts to you".(wink, wink).
janeAnne, thank you for sharing this footage with us. A couple of things struck me as noteable.
1) There is no one receipe for 'green' building. What works where you live would never work where I live.
2) Use what you've got. From what I could see very little if anything had to be brought in to build this building. Many of the components were close by.
3) Trees are solar energy and sustainable in parts of the world. So for those who hate the idea of cutting down a tree - look around. Looks like Ashville has plenty and more will grow.
Diane~
This video was just shot, so you may get your wish. This will be the community center for Hickory Nut Forest. Come in October when the leaves are in full color, and I will be happy to show you the progress...
Bethany~
I agree! How many of us get to watch as a building, based on the concept of sustainable innovation, comes to life?
Hi Dena~
Good to hear from you. I really am attracted to the point you make: Use what you've got.
and do it with appreciation....
janeAnne, it was not only really fun to watch this video, but also to tap my foot to the music!
Sally~
Interesting for sure. I like the idea that they have used fallen trees from the conservation area, reclaimed and honored them in this way. I expect that local people will be using more of this 'salvageable" wood to make furniture soon! Nice also to know that the mill is on the property and that hand work has been done to prepare the logs.
Bob and Jirius~
(First time to hear from you, Jirius...glad to know you are interested)...possibly read the comment I made in response to Sally's comment (just above) which alludes to harvesting fallen trees on the conservation property and milling on site...and in the meantime, I shall check with the developer on your comments.
Thanks JaneAnne - I really enjoyed watching that video. Gave me a cool feeling of the "Great Outdoors", hope we can see the project when completed. I'll be watching for it. :-)
Brad~
I will be tracking this amazing project and will be sharing a Guest Post from the eco-developers.
Arlene~
GREAT POINT.. Thanks...always appreciate Hope...
P.S. There are aspects of green building that will be a part of this work, using the giant poplar from our land to hold up the house, solar and microhydro for heating and electric, sprayed insulation, south facing orientation, metal roofing, energystar appliances, protection of the surrounding trees, interior air quality, re-using their own wood for interior walls...for example
Hi Kayleen,
I have contacted Hickory Nut Forest and you can expect to hear from them ASAP. =)